The British Virgin Islands are nothing short of a nautical heaven, especially for those harboring Robinson Crusoe fantasies (at least for a few days, anyway) as there are more than 40 palm-fringed islands and deserted cays in the archipelago, many only accessibly by boat. And on the main islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, you won’t have to venture too far to find a great beach all to yourself.
Wedding Requirements To be married in the British Virgin Islands, couples must be on-island for three days. Once you arrive, head to the Attorney General’s Office (open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) in Tortola’s capital of Road Town where you can apply for a license. You’ll need valid identification, divorce decrees if applicable, and a fee of $110 as well as a witness for the signing of the application and to be present at the ceremony. Allow three business days for the license to be processed. For more information, visit bvitourism.com.
Things to Do
Beaches Tortola is a smorgasbord of beaches and sheltered bays catering to all personalities. Secluded Brewer’s Bay, reached via hairpin turns, is known for its swimming and snorkeling, while nearby Cane Garden Bay is a lively stretch with watersports concessions and open-air cafes. Surfers hang ten on bohemian Apple Bay. Virgin Gorda’s most famous beach is The Baths, on the southwestern tip, where massive boulders at the water’s edge have created an eerie system of caves, caverns and tidal pools you can wade through. On the western coast are several postcard-perfect beaches including Mahoe and Savannah.
Sailing Charter a boat (with a crew or without for experienced sailors) and island-hop through the archipelago, calling in on out-of-way islands and cays -- perhaps Anegada in search of the rare rock iguana, Norman to snorkel the Caves, (said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island) or the uninhabited Sandy Spit with a hamper of Champagne and lobster to enjoy on a deserted stretch of sand. Other nautical activities include scuba diving to off-shore shipwrecks such as the RMS Rhone and deep-sea fishing for blue marlin and wahoo around the waters of Anegada.
Food The BVI’s cuisine reflects its multi-cultural heritage, with Caribbean, West Indian and Creole dishes like a thick green soup called callaloo, grilled mahi mahi and spicy johnnycakes. But you’ll also find everything from Italian to Indian in between. For pure romance, try the Sugar Mill on Tortola where you can dine on lobster bisque and leek-wrapped salmon within a 270-year old stone mill. Capriccio di Mare, across from the Tortola ferry dock, is a casual Italian spot serving pizzas and pastas. On Virgin Gorda, kick back at Chez Bamboo, a festive Cajun restaurant whose outdoor bar turns into an after-dinner hotspot with reggae music.
Off the Beaten Path
Sage Mountain Most couples spend the bulk of their time on the beach or in a boat, and rightly so, but it would be shame not to head inland to discover Tortola’s Sage Mountain, a 92-acre, semi-rainforest national park that contains the BVI’s highest point, 1,716 foot Mount Sage. The views of neighboring islands are terrific and there are plenty of hiking trails amid kapok, mahogany and fig trees. — Jill Fergus
